Undergraduate Information

Admissions Pathways

A group of tour guides poses among fall leaves, welcoming students to UW

Direct to Major (DTM) Admissions

All UW-Seattle freshman applicants who meet UW admissions criteria and who list Computer Science OR Computer Engineering as their first-choice major on their application are considered for DTM to the Allen School. The UW Office of Admissions offers DTM admission based on a holistic review that includes established criteria and selection guidelines developed in partnership with the Allen School. Fifty percent of students enter the Allen School through this pathway.

Learn more about DTM Admissions


Transfer Admissions

Transfer applicants are students who are currently or were previously enrolled at a college other than UW after high school. Running Start students are not considered transfer students and should apply as freshman applicants. Priority is given to students who are coming directly from a Washington State community or technical college. Twenty percent of students enter the Allen School through this pathway.

Learn more about Transfer Admissions


Current UW Student Admissions

This pathway is intended for students who are currently enrolled at UW. Thirty percent of students enter the Allen School through this pathway.

Learn more about Current UW Student Admissions


Explore the Allen School

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Attend an Information Session

The Allen School offers separate information sessions for prospective freshman and prospective transfer students. In these sessions you will learn about the Allen School community and student experience, internships and careers, and the application process.

Learn more about our Information Sessions


Learn about the Student Experience from our Current Students

Learn more about the student experience from one of our Allen School ambassadors who are current UW students studying Computer Science or Engineering! You can schedule an appointment to meet with them 1:1 on our ambassador page.

Learn about Allen School Ambassadors


Watch our Building Tour video

Take a tour with the Allen School Ambassadors of our two buildings: the Paul G. Allen Center and the Bill & Melinda Gates Center. You'll see our spaces, learn what they are used for, and get a glimpse of the Allen School student life.

Watch the video tour with our Ambassadors on youtube!


Contact a Recruiter or Adviser

You can direct any admissions or academic planning questions to outreach@cs.washington.edu. These emails are sorted and directed to the appropriate recruiter or adviser to best answer your questions.

Email outreach@cs.washington.edu


Other K-12 Programs

The Allen School has many opportunities for K-12 students to explore computing including summer programs and courses. These opportunities range from mentorship programs to panels to hands on projects.

Learn more about our K-12 outreach programs


Prospective Graduate Student Information

The Gates Center Atrium brightly lit through the skylight windows, a person climbs wooden stairs to the second floor, and another person is looking at screens on a wall to the right

BS/MS Program

The Allen School offers a combined bachelor's/master's degree. Admissions to the BS/MS program is only open to current UW-Seattle computer science and computer engineering majors.

Learn more about BS/MS and requirements


PhD Program

The Allen School’s full-time Ph.D. program is a research-intensive program in which students earn their Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Consistently ranked among the top computer science and engineering graduate programs in the nation, we offer a collegial and supportive learning environment, research opportunities of the highest quality, and the chance to collaborate with entrepreneurial faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields.

Learn more about our PhD program


Professional Masters Program

The Professional Master's Program (PMP) is a part-time, evening degree program designed for Seattle-area software professionals who are interested in continuing on their career paths while acquiring critical skills to move them into positions and projects of greater responsibility and impact. The all-coursework curriculum offers a broad-spectrum, industry-focused plan of study covering a multitude of engineering insights and practical development tools. The PMP is the only standalone MS in Computer Science offered by the Allen School; a full-time standalone MS program is not available.

Learn more about our professional master's program

Additional Campus Resources

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The UW Office of Admissions

The UW Office of Admissions is a great resource for prospective students! In addition to academic and application information, they provide tours (including virtual tours), information sessions, cost and financial aid support, and admissions counseling.

Office of Admission webpage


Student Financial Aid

Student Financial Aid seeks to provide educational access and opportunity for all students. They promote participation in higher education by providing assistance to help bridge the gap between the cost of attending the University and the family’s own resources. Visit their website for information about submitting the FAFSA/WASFA, scholarship information, loans, and other financial assistance.

Student Financial Aid webpage


The Office of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment

Students from underrepresented backgrounds can receive individualized support and advice on their application by setting up an appointment with a counselor in the Office of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment. This office supports historically underrepresented students of color (African American, Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian) as well as students who have been historically disenfranchised from higher education.

Office of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment webpage


International Student Services

Prospective international students can use this resource to help with navigating university policies, immigration policies, and visa status. They also provide educational tools, including workshops and tutorials, designed for international students.

International Student Services webpage


Disability Resources for Students

Disability Resources for Students (DRS) recognizes disability as an aspect of diversity that is integral to society and to our campus community. DRS staff work with admitted University of Washington (UW) students to ensure equal access to UW academic programs and services. Newly enrolled students with disabilities should visit this website to begin their accommodation application as early as possible to ensure that accommodations are in place by the beginning of their first term of enrollment.

Disability Resources for Students webpage